Skills and Career Competencies Developed :
This Honors experience helped me develop both technical and transferable skills that support my long term academic and professional goal 

Cultural Awareness and Global Perspective

Living with a host family and joining local groups really showed me how much culture affects everyday life. Because I didn’t speak the language well, I had to work extra hard to get my point across, so I learned to be clear and patient. I started paying more attention and waiting before speaking, and I learned to appreciate customs that were new to me. Now I feel much more confident when I’m in new places or with people from different backgrounds. That’s important when you work with people from all over the world.

Communication Skills

I got a lot of practice listening carefully, both in class and when talking with groups. Writing about what I went through every day helped me find ways to explain my feelings and thoughts. When I didn’t understand something, I got better at asking helpful questions and trusting my classmates for support.

Adaptability and Problem Solving

Things didn’t always go as planned, so I had to learn to adjust. Moving between different places and dealing with surprises pushed me to stay calm and focus on what I could actually fix. I learned not to get stressed out by things I couldn’t control.

Teamwork and Collaboration

Working on projects and going on trips with other Honors students taught me the value of helping each other, both with schoolwork and with personal stuff. We depended on one another and became stronger as a team.

Ethical and Civic Engagement

Doing service work made me really think about why we help others. I kept asking myself who truly benefits from our work and how we can show respect. Thinking about these questions helped me understand what it means to act responsibly and make the right choices.

All of these experiences are connected to skills that are important for any job, like understanding different cultures, good communication, being professional, working with others, and thinking clearly. I want to work in Artificial Intelligence and technology, so it’s even more important for me to remember the human side of things. Technology touches everyone, and this experience reminded me that caring about others should guide the way we create new things.

Reflection and Connection

Looking back, this trip really changed who I am. At the start, everything was new and a bit scary. I remember landing in the busy Indianapolis airport, feeling lost in a place that was nothing like my home. The streets were loud, people spoke in ways I didn’t understand, and even small things, like doors left open, felt strange to me. That was the moment I realized just how big and different the world really is.

When we moved into our homestay, my feelings were all mixed up. I was happy and thankful, but also felt the shock of being in a new culture. Our hosts were so kind and did everything to make us feel at home, which helped me calm down. Still, I knew I was far away from everything I was used to. That feeling of being uncomfortable ended up teaching me a lot.

Every day, whether I was listening to a lecture, having a talk with someone new, or just eating together, I felt my mind opening up. I started to understand that real growth only happens when you leave your comfort zone. I kept telling myself that every moment had something to teach me. Thinking this way helped me move from feeling nervous to really enjoying my experience.

Before this trip, I thought going abroad was just about seeing cool places and having fun. Now I see it’s much more than that. It’s about learning to be a leader. I feel more independent and sure of myself now. I also learned how important it is to understand and care about other people’s feelings. I realized that being an Honors student isn’t just about good grades. It’s about staying active, being humble, and always wanting to learn more.

When I think about my future and working with things like AI and teams from around the world, this trip really stands out. It shows I can adjust, connect with people from different cultures, and do important work. This trip didn’t just change how I look at the world. It changed how I see myself, both as a student and as someone who is ready to join a bigger, global community.